Trees on a Barrow street earmarked for felling will not be axed until October at the earliest.
Westmorland and Furness Council has paused plans to fell 19 trees on Infield Park and will now engage in a consultation period with residents to discuss options.
Councillor Niyall Phillips (Hawcoat and Newbarns, Conservative) said: “What we’ve agreed is to engage with residents over the coming months, make sure we discuss options and potential outcomes with residents and make sure we work with them.”
The felling of trees cannot take place over the summer months due to it being nesting season.
Cllr Phillips added that hopefully by October an agreed way forward can be reached that was safe and kept residents happy.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “Work to improve the footway at Infield Park in Barrow have been paused until after the bird nesting season has finished.
“We appreciate the importance of trees both for our environment and our communities, and the council’s local members and officers are currently engaging further with residents of Infield Park to review available options regarding the works and to listen to any concerns they may have.”
This comes after residents received a letter from the council on March 6 informing them of the proposed tree felling, which the council said was necessary for public safety over concerns of the state of uneven pavements.
Residents previously complained, saying they had not been involved in any of the decision-making.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council previously said: “Following concerns raised by the public regarding the felling of trees at Infield Park in Barrow, we acknowledge this has caused upset and as a result the planned works are being paused.”
The letter residents received from the council on March 6 said tree felling and replanting would be taking place between houses 5-21 and 2-20 on the street.
It stated: “I am writing to inform you of tree felling works that we plan to undertake on the above section of the highway. Unfortunately, due to the footway damage this work is necessary to public safety.
“The large-scale root heave in the footway means that repairs cannot be carried out without removing the existing trees. Footway construction works are due to commence in the next financial year.”
Local resident Joanne Fitzsimmons previously said: “The birds, bats and wildlife in the street will be eradicated overnight if these mature trees are felled.”
Residents say they have collected a list of around 15 birds sighted in the last month on the street, which include a collared woodcock dove as well as a flock of long tailed tits and they also say the street has its own tawny owl.
They add the postponement has given them time to commission their own professional report which will cover all aspects of the trees and provide alternative recommended solutions regarding the uneven pavement, which will not involve felling.
Westmorland and Furness Council has been contacted for comment.
